For some reason, people fear things that are different from them. Sometimes so much so that they’ll even try to hurt or destroy what’s different. Amanda Makris’ son George is different.
He has Asperger’s Syndrome and loves orchestral music. That makes him different.
It also makes him a target for bullies who call him “Classic FM Boy” and “Georgina”. His school’s solution to the bullying was to put George in isolation during class breaks. George was bullied so bad by his schoolmates that it turned into physical abuse.
Physical abuse that left George’s arm in a sling after he was kicked to the floor while a teacher was in the classroom. The school wouldn’t even let George call his mother after the attack and told him “don’t panic.” Makris immediately pulled her son from his school and never took him back.
George eventually told his mom that he was having suicidal thoughts.
She took him to get professional help but wanted to do one further and let the world know about the dangers of bullying and posted the photo below of her son post-injury on social media.
“One picture says a thousand words,” she told Daily Mail. “Just by looking at it you can tell he’s not having a nice time. I think it has a powerful effect. It is a very upsetting image for me because it takes me back to when it happened. It is important that people see the effects bullying have on people.”
The photo posted on social media got an overwhelming response, so Makris figured she would use the response to cheer up George for his birthday.
She asked the internet to send George some cards for his birthday so he would know there are people out there who do care about him and are his friends.
Since then hundreds of people have been reaching out to her asking where they can send their cards. People have even donated a bouncy castle, popcorn machine, a limo ride, and cotton candy machine for his 13th birthday party.
A mother came over with a card and some candy for George and took her son with autism along with her. Now they are invited to George’s birthday.
“I think it’s important to show that people are thinking about him to build his confidence up again and to give him hope,” she said. “I also wanted to show him that not all people are bad.”
George has been receiving cards and presents and it’s already lifting his spirits.
George will be starting at a brand new school this September and things are beginning to look up for him.
“It’ll be a birthday to remember – one for the memory bank,” she told the Mirror. “I don’t know how I will ever top it off.”
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